Cooking and Serving: 7 minutes | 1 mug cake
Ingredients
Essential tips for perfect gluten free mug cake | Learn to make vanilla mug cake! | Gluten free vanilla mug cake: Substitutions
Description
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 2 minutes | Total Time: 7 minutes | Servings: 1 mug cake
Ingredients
Essential tips for perfect gluten free mug cake
Learn to make vanilla mug cake!
Gluten free vanilla mug cake: Substitutions
4. Granulated sugar: Sugar not only sweetens the cake but also contributes to
6. Gluten free flour blend: The blend of rice, potato, and tapioca starch
Microwave-safe mug
2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, softened or melted and cooled
3 tablespoons (45 g) smooth applesauce
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons (54 g) gum free gluten free flour blend
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon edible gluten free confetti, nonpareils, or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Grease a microwave-safe mug or mason jar with at least an 8-ounce capacity.
In a mixing bowl or measuring cup, place the butter, applesauce, and vanilla,.
Add the flour blend and baking powder, and whisk until smooth. Add the.
Pour the batter into the greased mug, and smooth the top.
Place the mug in your microwave oven and cook at about 1000 watts for 1.
Test with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If not, cook for up to.
another 20 seconds at about 1000 watts.
Allow to cool briefly before serving.
Notes
4. Granulated sugar: Sugar not only sweetens the cake but also contributes to
the tender texture browning, giving your cake even more flavor.
5. Kosher salt: A small amount of salt is crucial in sweet recipes to balance
flavors and enhance the sweetness.
6. Gluten free flour blend: The blend of rice, potato, and tapioca starch
mimics the texture of regular flour, maintaining a light and fluffy cake
7. Baking powder: As a leavening agent, baking powder helps the cake rise
quickly in the microwave, ensuring a light and airy texture.
8. Edible gluten free confetti or sprinkles: While optional, these add a fun,
festive touch to the cake, making it visually appealing and more exciting to
Vanilla mug cake raw batter in mug overhead image
mug cake raw batter in mug overhead image
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR PERFECT GLUTEN FREE MUG CAKE
Mug cakes are really simple, but there are still a few things that can go wrong
and cause your cake to come out rubbery. So follow these top tips for
almost-instant, light and fluffy gluten free cake in a mug every time.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLOUR
Not all gluten free flour blends behave the same way in recipes. Ensure that you
choose a high-quality blend that already contains xanthan gum or a gum-free
blend as suggested in the recipe for best results.
When I was first developing this recipe, I used a more traditional all purpose
gluten free flour blend that already contains xanthan gum in the blend (I used
Better Batter original blend). It made a lovely, high-rising cake and tasted
good. You can use it in this recipe with success.
I prefer to use my gum-free gluten free flour blend
which is made with 3 simple flours: 66% superfine white rice flour + 22% potato
starch + 12% tapioca starch/flour. It’s such a useful blend that I think it’s
worth committing those percentages to memory, but I’ve done the math for you in
the recipe card below.
Without the xanthan gum in the mix, though, the cake made with the gum-free
flour blend doesn’t rise quite as high in the mug, but I don’t mind that at all.
If you’d like to have the best of both worlds, try using the gum free blend, and
adding a scant 1/8 teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Most of all, let’s try not to make this overly complicated! It’s a mug cake.
BALANCE YOUR WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS
Achieving the right consistency is crucial. Ensure you measure your ingredients
accurately to keep a balance between wet and dry ingredients for the perfect
Overcooking your mug cake can make it rubbery. Always start with the minimum
suggested microwave time, then add more in small increments if necessary.
DON’T OVERFILL YOUR MUG
Be careful with how much batter you fill your mug with. Aim for filling your mug
no more than half way, however big or small your mug. If you only have
regular-sized mugs, but really, really love this quick sweet treat, don’t
overfill your mug. Just make two, instead.
ADJUST FOR MICROWAVE WATTAGE
Different microwaves have different wattages. Make sure to adjust your cooking
time accordingly to prevent over or under cooking.
This cake is developed to be made in a microwave that is approximately 1000
watts. It isn’t for the oven. That’s where we make regular cakes!
This is just to make a quick-fix for your sweet tooth’s desire for a “little
something.” Maybe late at night? Maybe you just don’t feel like sharing. No
Please don’t email me to tell me that the microwave is going to kill us all. Or
comment that below. Your feelings are private, and your own business. Sharing
them with me is mine. Thank you for coming to my motherhood TED talk.
HOW TO PROGRAM YOUR MICROWAVE FOR A GF MUG CAKE
My microwave is oddly powerful at 1200 watts. I need to use a reduced power
percentage to approximate 1000 watts. For me, that means using 80% power because
1200 watts x 80% = 960 watts (that counts as “about” 1000 watts).
It just requires the simplest math. I know some of you hate math, and I’m so
sorry. At least you don’t have to do it on an abacus.
You’ll only have to do the math once, though. And then you’ll be able to make
vanilla mug cake, and gluten free mug cake
success. And you’ll maybe understand your microwave a bit better.
If you’re not sure how many watts yours is, and you can’t find the information
on the appliance itself, just google your microwave brand and the word
“wattage,” and you’ll find the information.
Vanilla mug cake batter raw in mug image from side
mug cake batter raw in mug image from side
CUSTOMIZE TO YOUR PREFERENCE
While our vanilla mug cake is delicious on its own, part of the fun is
customizing it with various mix-ins and toppings. Here are a few of my top
1. Chocolate chips: Add in a tablespoon of dark, milk, or white chocolate chips
before microwaving for a gooey chocolate surprise.
2. Berries: Fresh or frozen berries can add a pop of sweetness and tang. Try
raspberries, blueberries, or chopped strawberries.
3. Nuts: A tablespoon of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds can provide a
lovely crunch and added flavor.
4. Spices: For an aromatic twist, add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom
1. Whipped cream or ice cream: A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice
cream can make your mug cake an extra decadent treat.
2. Fruit compote or jam: Top your cake with a spoonful of your favorite fruit
compote or jam for added fruitiness.
3. Nut butter: A drizzle of almond, peanut, or cashew butter can add a
deliciously nutty touch and pair beautifully with the vanilla base.
4. Powdered sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar can add a lovely visual
touch and a bit of extra sweetness.
Give your mug cake a few minutes to cool before eating. This will allow the cake
to set and the flavors to fully develop.
LEARN TO MAKE VANILLA MUG CAKE!
But the texture wasn’t quite as tender as I’d like it to be. It was also a bit
more dry, since that flour blend (like most all purpose gluten free flour
blends) absorbs a lot of moisture.
Whole just cooked vanilla mug cake in mug
just cooked vanilla mug cake in mug
GLUTEN FREE VANILLA MUG CAKE: SUBSTITUTIONS
Here are my best recommendations for ingredient substitutions when you need to
tweak this gluten free microwave mug cake for other dietary preferences.
GLUTEN FREE DAIRY FREE MUG CAKE
The only dairy in this recipe (unless you’re using Cup4Cup as your flour blend,
which contains dairy) is the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. You can easily
replace that with your favorite vegan butter. I bet even Earth Balance buttery
Please don’t use oil, though. You might be tempted since you’re melting the
flavor away from the cake, and leave it with an oily taste.
GLUTEN FREE MUG CAKE MADE SUGAR FREE?
There are only 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar in this recipe. I’ve also made
it with 3 tablespoons, and I thought it was too sweet, even with my sweet tooth.
I really don’t recommend reducing the sugar in this recipe. It’s just 25 grams
of sugar, and it helps to tenderize the cake (sugar isn’t just for sweetness in
If you’d like to try using an alternative sugar, try Lankato brand monkfruit
granulated alternative sugar. It will probably mean a more stiff batter, so
consider adding another teaspoonful or two of applesauce to compensate for the
drying effect of alternative sugars.
ABOUT THE PRETTY EDIBLE DECORATIONS IN THIS GLUTEN FREE VANILLA MUG CAKE
For full information on gluten free edible confetti, please see our recipe for
gluten free “Funfetti” cupcakes
love baking with edible confetti, but it can be a bit difficult to source
because some companies make it, and then stop. I’m looking at you, AmeriColor!
But you can find it, and it’s worth the effort.
GLUTEN FREE VANILLA MUG CAKE RECIPE, STEP
Closeup image of spoonful of vanilla mug cake
image of spoonful of vanilla mug cake
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GLUTEN FREE VANILLA MUG CAKE | CAKE IN 2 MINUTES
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 2 minutes mins
spoon holding spoonful of vanilla mug cake with colored edible confetti pieces
holding spoonful of vanilla mug cake with colored edible confetti pieces over
Make a moist and tender single-serving gluten free vanilla mug cake with a quick
blend of butter, sugar, applesauce, sugar, gf flour, and baking powder. No eggs
needed, and you’ve got tender cake in a couple minutes!
* 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, softened or melted and cooled
* 3 tablespoons (45 g) smooth applesauce
* ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 2 tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
* ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
* 6 tablespoons (54 g) gum free gluten free flour blend
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon edible gluten free confetti, nonpareils, or sprinkles (optional)
* Grease a microwave-safe mug or mason jar with at least an 8-ounce capacity
* In a mixing bowl or measuring cup, place the butter, applesauce, and vanilla,
and whisk vigorously to combine very well. Add the sugar and salt, and whisk
* Add the flour blend and baking powder, and whisk until smooth. Add the
optional edible decoration, and mix until evenly distributed throughout the
* Pour the batter into the greased mug, and smooth the top.
* Place the mug in your microwave oven and cook at about 1000 watts for 1
* Test with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If not, cook for up to
another 20 seconds at about 1000 watts.
* Allow to cool briefly before serving.
About microwave wattage.
It’s important to be able to approximate 1000 watts of power in your microwave
oven. My microwave is 1200 watts, so I tend to cook on 80% power (1200 watts x
80% = 960 watts). When in doubt, go with a lower power and cook for a bit
About the flour blend.
If you use my gum-free gluten free flour blend
you’ll need 36 grams superfine white rice flour + 12 grams potato starch + 6
grams tapioca starch/flour. It makes a more tender, but less high-rising cake.
If you use an all purpose gluten free flour
recommend (mock) Cup4Cup, but (mock) Better Batter works, too. As always, the
flour blend you use matters. Remember, when we bake gluten free, the biggest
difference in ingredients is the flour. How could it not matter?
About the mug you use.
If you use a smaller mug than 8 ounces, just place the mug on a microwave-safe
plate to catch any spills. It’s a mug cake. It’ll all be edible.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an
Vanilla mug cake ingredients, raw batter in mug, and cooked spoonful
mug cake ingredients, raw batter in mug, and cooked spoonful